]]>https://www.straitpinkie.com/strait-pinkie-network/sunday-morning-hangover/sunday-morning-hangover-71915/feed/0Sunday Morning Hangover – 7/12/15https://www.straitpinkie.com/strait-pinkie-network/sunday-morning-hangover/sunday-morning-hangover-71215/
https://www.straitpinkie.com/strait-pinkie-network/sunday-morning-hangover/sunday-morning-hangover-71215/#commentsMon, 13 Jul 2015 03:47:27 +0000http://www.straitpinkie.com/?p=106896Nick Curran was in Toledo with the Bats while Nick Evans was in studio. They talked NBA Summer League to Louisville, whether or not soccer is a major sport and more. They ended with What Else is Going On?

Nick and Nick talk NBA Free Agency, Cal to the NBA, Women’s World Cup, BBNMeetup.com and a lot more.

]]>https://www.straitpinkie.com/strait-pinkie-network/sunday-morning-hangover/sunday-morning-hangover-7515/feed/0Guide to a Sparkling Fourth of Julyhttps://www.straitpinkie.com/entertainment2/guide-to-a-sparkling-fourth-of-july/
https://www.straitpinkie.com/entertainment2/guide-to-a-sparkling-fourth-of-july/#commentsSat, 04 Jul 2015 15:28:26 +0000http://www.straitpinkie.com/?p=106885Happy Fourth of July! Here are some cocktail recipes and food ideas that will make this year’s Fourth of July cookout the best ever.

A popcorn bar is a fun and easy way for guests to get involved and to allow everyone to choose their own popcorn style. Offer various flavors of popcorn and toppings with festive name labels. A fun touch is to set out gift bags with each person’s name they can use as their own person popcorn bag.

S’mores are a summertime classic but think outside the box with a s’mores bar. Include the traditional ingredients like graham crackers and marshmallows but mix it up with different kinds of candy bars. Use mason jars for serving containers or get creative with another festive way to serve guests.

Since NASCAR began running the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1994, a select group of race winners including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Jimmie Johnson have been brave enough to face the challenge and made their mark as kings of the historic track. This year, another name will join their ranks without ever finishing a lap… but don’t think for a second this person isn’t well versed in bravery.

As the grand prize winner of Crown Royal’s annual “Your Hero’s Name Here” program, a deserving hero’s name will be etched in history with naming rights to the NASCAR race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 26th, 2015. This race will mark the ninth time Crown Royal has awarded race naming rights to an adult fan. The program focuses on all of the unsung heroes who make a difference in their communities, from firefighters and police officers to first responders and local volunteers. Every year five heroic finalists are nominated and through consumer voting, one winner is chosen to have their name cemented in sports history.

Adult consumers can go to CrownRoyalHeroes.com to vote for the hero they think is most deserving of naming rights to the race. Voting runs through June 7th and the grand prize winner will be announced early that month.

All five finalists will be flown to Indianapolis to attend the race, and the grand prize winner will be provided with an once-in-a-lifetime experience, which will include delivering the trophy bearing his or her moniker to the race winner in Victory Lane!

Let’s take a look at all five deserving nominees.

Jeff Kyle – Retired U.S. Marine Corp Sergeant
Jeff Kyle, 37, of Lorena, Texas is a retired U.S. Marine Corp Sergeant who served for eight years from 2000 – 2008 in the infantry and reserves. While serving with the 3rd Marine Division, Kyle received the Navy Achievement Medal for leading the first Marine detachment to transport a nuclear submarine through hostile waters. During his time in the military, Kyle was deployed to Iraq twice, Africa and several other locations overseas. When Kyle retired from the Marine Corp in 2008 he says, “My military career didn’t start until I left because now I am able to truly serve my country through helping my fellow brothers.” As one of the founders of Texas Elite Tactical Academy, Kyle trains individuals about firearms safety through his passion to educate those in a safe environment. As a board member for the Guardian For Heroes Foundation, Kyle helps to oversee the organization’s mission – to provide free, in-home fitness equipment, facilitation of donated health club memberships, individualized programs, personal training, as well as life coaching and comprehensive support to in-need veterans with disabilities. In addition, Kyle plays a large role as a board member of American Valor, the foundation which runs the memorial benefit to honor his brother, CPO and U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. Nominated by the person he considers one of his heroes, former 2014 “Your Hero’s Name Here” race namesake John Wayne Walding, Kyle continues to dedicate his efforts to champion for military veterans and their families.

Margy Bons – Community Leader
Margy Bons, 59, of Phoenix, Ariz. is the CEO and Founder of the Military Assistance Mission (MAM). In 2005, her oldest son Michael was serving his country in Iraq when he was killed in an ambush by a suicide borne vehicle filled with IEDs. In an effort to honor her son and continue what he started, Bons created an organization with a name that contains Michael’s initials. Formed in 2012, MAM’s mission is to provide financial and moral aid to Arizona service members, wounded warriors and their families. MAM offers a number of programs to meet their needs including paying for items like rent, utilities and car payments and offering classes on resume writing. Last year alone the organization was able to help over 7,000 Arizona families. “There are so many true heroes out there. I get to support them every day, so I am very honored and humbled to be considered a hero,” said Bons. When Bons is not working at her organization, she can be found riding her motorcycle or enjoying her newfound hobby of target shooting.

Brendan Marrocco – Retired Army Sergeant
Brendan Marrocco, 28, of Staten Island, N.Y. is a retired Army Sergeant who was deployed in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, Marrocco’s vehicle was hit with an Explosive Fired Projectile (EFP). This attack left Marrocco a quadruple amputee and the first ever U.S. soldier to survive such injuries sustained in the war. He credits his lieutenant and medic for his survival and looks up to them as his personal heroes. A determined individual, Marrocco set a goal for himself to greet his fellow soldiers returning from Iraq just four months after his injury. “It was a huge goal for me and it was an once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will cherish forever,” said Marrocco. In December 2012, Marrocco underwent transplant surgery and was the first bilateral arm transplant recipient at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Since the surgery, he continues to receive intensive arm therapy at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. An avid race fan and car enthusiast, Marrocco went to the Daytona, Bristol, Richmond and Dover races last year and would have gone to more if not for touring Afghanistan for Operation Proper Exit. Marrocco has yet to attend the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 in Indianapolis and is excited for the opportunity to take the trip in July and see his favorite driver and friend, Brad Keselowski.

Hector Manley – Community Leader
Hector Manley, 26, of Bonita Springs, Fla. lost both legs at age 11 in a tragic accident when a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck his birth country, El Salvador in 2001. Soon after, Manley was adopted and brought to the United States where he has flourished as a community leader, volunteer and teacher. In 2012, Manley became the first double amputee to kayak the entire length of the Mississippi River. This summer adventure took Manley 93 days and, through a partnership with Rotary Clubs, he was able to raise $70,000 dollars for the Wheelchair Foundation. As a result, in 2013 he and a group of others were able to distribute over 450 wheelchairs to people in need in El Salvador and Honduras. Manley continues to raise money for charities through events including Tough Mudder races. “If I could describe myself in one word it would be driven. I look at the challenges in front of me and put a plan in place so that nothing seems impossible,” said Manley. Introduced to NASCAR at age 13, Manley has been a fan ever since and a follower of his favorite driver, Tony Stewart.

Benjamin Parker – Retired Army Staff Sergeant
Benjamin Parker, 28, of Cincinnati, Ohio is a retired Army Staff Sergeant who was deployed to Afghanistan twice as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader. Safely disarming more than 300 IEDs and saving countless lives during his tours of duty, Parker received two bronze stars for his bravery. “I don’t consider what I did heroic. I was just doing my job,” said Parker. “I am deeply honored and humbled to be a finalist.” After his second tour, Parker returned home and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Devastated to have to end his army career, Parker decided to pursue another passion. Against all odds, he received his pilot’s license and now works as an aircraft mechanic. Born in Indianapolis, Parker is an avid NASCAR fan who used to set alarms and call his dad from a satellite phone overseas so they could watch races together. Parker looks forward to returning to the “Your Hero’s Name Here” 400 as a finalist to watch his favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

You can also view a video of each finalist on the Crown Royal YouTube page. Click here to check that out.

Nick and Nick were in studio to talk College World Series, Louisville City FC, Bats and more. They also talked with J.J. Hysell about the Belmont and finished the show up with a little “What Else is Going On”.

I’ve always loved pineapple. It’s light, refreshing, tart, sweet, and delicious. But, I recently found out about the health benefits of pineapple, as well. It’s high in vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and beta-carotene, and for centuries has been used to fight digestion issues and inflammation.

But, we aren’t here to start the newest health craze. We are here to tell you about a delicious new cocktail that we have put together with the help from our friends at Ketel One Vodka. That became a lot easier when we received an awesome grilling tool kit and were told to go to work. We waited for an awesome day outside, fired up the grill, and went to town.

And this is what we came up with. A delicious cocktail that implements grilled pineapple that will be perfect for a relaxing summer day.